Prospective Co-op grow planning

[snaggy-]

Hey all, I am posting up for help/advice on planning this grow! I posted on another forum about this, but haven't gotten much feedback...and I figured IC may be the place for a more receptive audience!

So my sister is letting me use some space in her backyard to put a shed for growing. I am going to grow 12 plants, with the strain to be determined. I have a 600 watt HPS that will be vented through a 6" 440 cfm fan (still need to purchase). and some CFL side-lighting will go along with it.

I need some help planning this sucker though!

First off, what should the dimensions of a shed be to accommodate 12 decent sized plants? I am looking for a shed that will be easy to put together and is big enough to get good sized plants. My Budget for this is $400.

Should I invest in more lighting for this setup, or would a 600 watt be suitable for 12 plants?

As far as ventilation goes, I am going to rig passive intake setup with ducting from my light's hood to exhaust. Is one duct fan that is 440 cfm rated good enough to vent the room and keep the temps in the high 70s?

For nutrients I will use the Advancd Nutrients line up of grow-bloom-micro. And Fox Farms Ocean Forest soil will be the medium....unless I decide to go with coco coir.

THE most important thing in my mind right now is the strain choice. I need genetics that produce a large yield of high quality bud. I am hoping to get around 1 and a half lbs in harvest. I am looking at Green House Seeds Big Bud from Attitude Seed Bank.

My goal is to get a small, somewhat commercial grow going so I can make some dough selling back to dispensaries with my doc's rec. I hope to make it a perpetual harvest as it gets setup, but I need to get things there first!

Input is greatly welcomed!

-snaggy

 

[snaggy-]

alright, I took the first step in this whole process.....the seeds are bought!

I chose Himalaya gold and King's Kush from Green House Seeds through Attitude Seed Bank. I will be growing four of each along with 3 seeds I have left from my failed grow--the (WWxNL X NL). And then probably one or two Pineapple Express bag seeds.


I checked out Home Depot for sheds and they have an 8' x 6' shed for 500 bucks delivered and installed. That sounds like a good deal to me.

I am going to get a 440 CFM rated 6" inline from HTG supply for about $100 shipped.


For now I will go with the 600 watter and CFL combo. It should be alright for 10 main plants with two squished in between.

I am going with bigger buckets on this one to let the plants grow nice and big so I can get a good yield off of them.

The miscellaneous expenses will come from the local hydro shop where I will get some stuff because I like supporting the little guys.

That is all for now

 

[PharmaCan]

The maximum you can light with 600 watts is 12 square feet, and you'd be a lot better off with 9 or 10 sq.ft.. 600's don't penetrate too well, so don't expect to get any big plants from a 500 watt lamp. Sounds like you need to read up on Sea of Green or SOG. That's about the best way to get so many plants in such a small area. You might want to consider a 1k lamp, they penetrate so much better.

PC

 

[snaggy-]

Well I can' go back on the 600, but I have been thinking of adding a 400. I may end up doing that.

Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[snaggy-]

Quick update:

got another 600 watter with a cooltube...mh/hps switchable. Funds are very low though.

 

[Researcher]

Having more room than you need to start out with is not a bad thing.

 

[snaggy-]

^^very true!

I think I may put my 2'x4'x5' grow tent in there as a veg room.


I just bought the shed today and it will be delivered and installed on Friday! I got it from "house of Redwood" for just about $550. They are very nice sheds too, I was lucky enough to find this companies brochure at Home Depot because these sheds are normally like $600 without delivery and installation. A pretty good steal.


I am down to less than 100 bucks though, so I am going to have to spread that money out for pots, soil, and ducting/vent covers.


I need some advice on electricity consumption though! Does anybody know if I can run an extension cord out to the shed and be able to operate it with two 600 watters and the fan? Would it be possible with running two cords out from different outlets?

HELP!!!

 

[Paranoid one]

Not trying to be a bringer of bad news but...
An extension cord?
I highly doubt that a extension cord will hold up 600watts without over heating/tripping the breaker.

It all depends on the gauge of the cord.
If it is too thin, the Extension cord will over heat and could start a fire.
I would use a 12-14 Gauge wire to safely run each of those lamps because 12-14 AWG (American wire gauge) is rated at 600watts

Expect to run into 70-120 bucks worth of quality extension wire.
Here is a useful quote i found on a site

Wire gauge must be increased with length, as voltage loss, called damping, occurs with longer wire runs. Recommended wire gauge to length ratios are as follows:

Less than 80 feet: 14 to 16 AWG
80 to 200 feet: 12 to 14 gauge
Over 200 feet: 10 to 12 gauge

Thank you, Matt.
Even though it is about large amplifiers,its the same concept.

(Or the alternative)

I would run a 120v line from the shed to the house.
(Might be a problem for you if you have no experience with electricity)

You will need:
A.Find a circuit you can use, or make a new one.
B.Most likely a 20 Amp circuit that is 120V which will allow you to run 2400 watts from that line.(Keep in mind that this is an ideal case)
Or
C.You can run a 15 Amp circuit on that is 120v which will allow you to run 1800 watts. (Keep in mind that this is an ideal case)
D.Run the wires to a breaker box and install breakers.
E.Plug your lamps in and WalA.

Do some research.. there are many electricians on there on the Web which can help you out with this. There are some here on Icmag but idk if they are around for your question.

Hope i helped

EDIT: Pros and cons about color for the extension cords
Dark colors
Pro:easy to camo in with grass/turf
Con:will over heat in summer
Light colors
pro:doesn't over heat
con:can't camo it on grass/turf
I would think that is common sense, but some people just might not know.

If I'm wrong anywhere in my post, please correct me.

Later.

 

[snaggy-]

I have zero knowledge about wiring much of anything. I am going to look at the extension cord route because I have an awesome outdoor specific garden setup already. I will definitely check the gauge of the wire though!

Your post will be incredibly helpful as I research more...seriously...thanks man!

Oh, and to comment on the color of the cord: That is definitely a good thing to consider. To be honest I dont think I would have ever thought twice about the color, but now I will!

 

[PharmaCan]

You should ignore most if not all of what Paranoid_One said - s/he doesn't know shit about electricity and everything s/he said is wrong to one degree or another. (Camouflage a power cord in the grass - ROFLMAO. That'd go over big on lawn mowing day.)

First thing you need to do is make a list of all the gear you want, or might possibly want in the future, to hook up in your shed. Then determine how much electricity all those things will use. This is called your maximum load. Your maximum load cannot exceed 80% of the rating for the breakers and wires. (IOW, if you want to draw, for exapmle, 40 amps, you'd need a 50 amp circuit.) Once you make a list of all your gear, and the watts or amps they draw, people here can help you with the numbers and calculations to determine your load.

Then you locate the power source closest to the shed. Chances are that taking your power from one of your household circuits won't work; that power is needed in the home. Probably your best bet will be to run a new circuit(s) from your panel to the shed.

Then you have to get a wire from the power source to the shed. That wire can be run either overhead or underground, so decide which would be easier and grab a shovel or ladder. If you have trouble with this decision, there are experienced electricians here who can help you with it.

Once you get the power to your shed, the hard part is done. From there it's just a matter of hooking a few things up.

You're going to need more money. The electrical parts aren't all that expensive, but they do cost money.

Anyhoo - you can do this the right way or the wrong way. If you want to do it the right way, there are several experienced electricians here that are always happy to help. On the other hand, if you want to do it some mickey mouse way, there are plenty of fools who'll join you in an electrical clusterfuck. It's your safety - your decision.

PC

 

[Paranoid one]

PharmaCan

Negativity? Yeah a lot of it.

About the new circuit... didn't i say something about that?

Find a circuit you can use, or make a new one.

Color of the power cord(if he doesn't want to re-landscape his backyardr have a yellow or black wire running across the yard to his house basement), he can easily run it a long side his walkway or near the fence... How would the lawnmower even get close enough to chop the cord up anyways?
Also, he is using a x2 600 watt hps, that is 1.2k total of watts,+fans, and other stuff he might want in there (estimated to 750)
That is nearly 2k of watts...

I don't understand why your so negative...


And a 40-50 Amp breaker? ROFLMAO AT YOU

He doesn't have Major appliances like 5,000-watt electric water heaters and 10,000-watt electric ranges demand so much electricity that they take their own 30-to 50-amp dedicated circuit protected by big, “double pole” breakers.
He would be fine with the 120v 20 amp(2400watt worthy) breaker.

Now i should have recommended the 30 Amp breaker just incase he decides to add a dehum if he wanted and other stuff like a crazy exhaust and all, but since its in his sis's backyard there is no need.

Like i said, research first, than the hands on work

And i do appreciate you became negative and added your and making me type this comment.
And by the way, your right, im no electrician, but i did all my electrical stuff in my house so thank you very much.

P.S. i never said camo color go back and look again, im pretty sure i said "dark colors", i said it would camo in with the grass w/o re-landscaping... Oh, and tell me, no quote my 1st post on where i went wrong about not knowing a single thing about electricity, and after that, quote everything i had right in that quote.

EDIT:You will want a 10-12 Gauge per lamp.

 

[snaggy-]

Pharmacan, thanks for the advice, but I do have to agree with Paranoid One on this because it is my sisters house and running that electricity overhead or under ground or out of the question.

I am going to try out the 10-12 gauge power cords for each lamp as suggested....I'll see how that works, and assess it from there.

Thanks guys!

Oh, the shed has been delivered and is setup! I am going to figure out how to hang the lights and cut vent holes for the ducts through the metal walling.

 

[rootfingers]

At the least google halotron fire extinguisher after your first run. Cheap insurance policy that.

 

[Rednick]

First) Get or obtain from library a basic electrical book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A Home Depot book works well, also.

Trust Me!

You are going to want to learn basic electrical if you plan to grow indoors.

Second) I really stress that if your soil is loose enough that you run a proper circuit or subpanel to that shed, underground. Underground usually means more than two-three feet deep. Otherwise I suggest you run an overhead line. Line is really cheap, and if you find a ciruit on your box that you can go without power (say a spare bedroom), then you will not have to buy a breaker right now.

Finally) You can go the extension cord route for this round. 1200 w on a 15 amp ciruit is nothing. But blowers and pumps add up too. And if you end up running electric heating, another circuit (extension cord on different circuit) is needed.
So you will be most happy putting in a subpanel to that shed when you get enough money. We are talking less than 300 dollars in equipment, and a weekend's worth of labor.

Plus, once you bury the line, grass can grow and cover the fact that the shed has power. It is just a powerless toolshed.

 

[Paranoid one]

Wish ya the best of luck!
I'm going under for a while so i wont be around.

Peace

 

[PharmaCan]

I would use a 12-14 Gauge wire to safely run each of those lamps because 12-14 AWG (American wire gauge) is rated at 600watts

No, it's rated at 600 volts, not 600 watts


You will need:
A.Find a circuit you can use, or make a new one.
B.Most likely a 20 Amp circuit that is 120V which will allow you to run 2400 watts from that line.(Keep in mind that this is an ideal case)
Or
C.You can run a 15 Amp circuit on that is 120v which will allow you to run 1800 watts. (Keep in mind that this is an ideal case)

A 20 amp circuit is good for 1,920 watts, a 15 amp circuit is good for 1,440 watts. (You shouldn't exceed 80% of the circuit rating for a continuous load.



EDIT: Pros and cons about color for the extension cords
Dark colors
Pro:easy to camo in with grass/turf

Sure looks to me like you are suggesting hiding the cord in the lawn.

If I'm wrong anywhere in my post, please correct me.

ROFL - You're not real open to criticism, preferring instead to defend an indefensible position.

Later.

PharmaCan

I don't understand why your so negative...

Because I dislike seeing uninformed people like you giving electrical advice - it can kill people and there are plenty of qualified electricians on this forum so there is really no need for your incorrect input.


And a 40-50 Amp breaker? ROFLMAO AT YOU

He doesn't have Major appliances like 5,000-watt electric water heaters and 10,000-watt electric ranges demand so much electricity that they take their own 30-to 50-amp dedicated circuit protected by big, “double pole” breakers.
He would be fine with the 120v 20 amp(2400watt worthy) breaker.

Are you really too stupid to understand what it means when someone says, "for example"?

And by the way, your right, im no electrician, but i did all my electrical stuff in my house so thank you very much.

A few repairs/upgrades on one house, whoopdefuckingdo. I've wired 1,000's of buildings - what's your point?

P.S. i never said camo color go back and look again, im pretty sure i said "dark colors", i said it would camo in with the grass w/o re-landscaping... Oh, and tell me, no quote my 1st post on where i went wrong about not knowing a single thing about electricity, and after that, quote everything i had right in that quote.

As noted above, you suggest camouflaging the cord in the grass. That's about as dumb as dumb gets.

EDIT:You will want a 10-12 Gauge per lamp.

Actually, this is incorrect too.

PC

 

[PharmaCan]

Pharmacan, thanks for the advice, but I do have to agree with Paranoid One on this because it is my sisters house and running that electricity overhead or under ground or out of the question.

I am going to try out the 10-12 gauge power cords for each lamp as suggested....I'll see how that works, and assess it from there.

Thanks guys!

Oh, the shed has been delivered and is setup! I am going to figure out how to hang the lights and cut vent holes for the ducts through the metal walling.

So there ya go! Ignore someone who may know what they are talking about in favor of the guy who says what you want to hear. That's a real good way to process information and get things done right! rofl

Look, a length of awg10 or awg12 wire is going to cost less than an extension cord of the same size. If you buy a piece of direct-burial wire, you can easily dig a small 6" deep trench in the lawn (just take out one big shovelful of dirt all along where you want the wire to run then replace the clumps of dirt and sod after the wire is in the trench. After about a week your sister won't even be able to tell the lawn was ever dug up.) 6" is hardly a legal depth for power line burial, but it's a far sight better than an extension cord on top of the lawn. There are several electricians on this forum that are more than happy to help people with their wiring problems, but you have to be willing to listen to their good advice, not just the inane ramblings that are more to your liking.

PC

 

[rickemery]

just wanted to chime in and ask why he couldnt just purchase 2 12gauge extension cords and 2 powerbars rated to the amperage? (assuming the length from home to shed is under 80-100ft to avoid voltage drop). As long as he has a decicated 20amp circuit to plug both into. Often a used circuit can be found already, i just had to shuffle around where i plugged in some of my electronics to free up a breaker.

Also I like the idea of burrying the line. not trying to get into this elecricity debate lol, jw if this solution would work. it would be cheap and easy to setup and take down.

Also is it not a good idea to use an outlet on the outside of the house? jw why this wasnt mentioned, if it was my bad lol

 

[Orygun]

Snaggy you should really listen to what PC is saying wiring isn't something to be fucked around with and should always be done as close to code as possible.

Rickemery as far as extension cords go there really just not a good idea especially for more permanent setups. Mainly because they can come unplugged or cause a fire and neither option is a good one.